Early this year, I had the honor of being asked--along with five other fashion designers including Michael Costello, Anthony Franco, Paul Hernandez, Lloyd Klein and Fe Zandi--to create an original NIKOLAKIdesign based on the fabulous fashions of the illustrious Leonore Annenberg--for a very special event.

Fashion Designers Nick Verreos and David Paul of NIKOLAKI

Leonore Annenberg with Rep. David Dreier, R-Calif. --2007 White House State Dinner for Queen Elizabeth II

Mrs. Annenberg was an American business woman, philanthropist and during
1981-1982, served as Chief of Protocol to the United States. She was
also, of course, the wife of Walter Annenberg, newspaper publishing
magnate (in 1953, he launched TV Guide as a national magazine), and
Ambassador to the United Kingdom under President Richard Nixon. Mrs.
Annenberg was also known for her fabulous parties, social gathering and
naturally, her fashion. So, it is natural that she would be a Style Muse

Style Icon: Leonore Annenberg

This
upcoming Wednesday evening, a special event is being held at the
Sunnylands estate to "unveil" our creations as well as the Leonore
Annenberg ensembles/gowns that inspired us. The event--titled
"Sunnylands Chic: the Fashions of Leonore Annenberg" --is part of theNightlife program at Sunnylands in partnership with Palm Springs Life magazine.

I am especially excited because the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising--my Alma Mater and College I am the Spokesperson for--is sponsoring the creation of my design as well as my appearance at Wednesday night's event...so yes, I will be there to show my Leonore Annenberg-inspired original NIKOLAKI creation!

Sunnylands, Rancho Mirage

Sunnylands is, of course, the famous midcentury Annenberg "winter
retreat"--located in Rancho Mirage, CA--that has hosted illustrious
guests such as U.S. Presidents, Queen Elizabeth, Prince Charles
and the former Shah of Iran. I have never been to Sunnylands but, as a huge fan of
midcentury homes (I own one) and Hollywood Regency-style interiors, I
cannot wait to attend and show my NIKOLAKI Leonore Annenberg-inspired creation.